October 12, 2024
9:55AM
, 10/12/2024

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
History

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport has gone through many transformations throughout its history. From its origin nearly nine decades ago as Seifert Airport, to serving as the site for the Civilian Pilot Training program at MSU, it has grown into the state’s busiest airport, serving over 2.27 million total passengers a year.
BZN Airport Circa 1950
BZN Airport Circa 1950

ENPLANEMENTS

1920&30s

Belgrade's first airport, Seifert Airport, named in recognition of Gallatin County aviation pioneer Wayne Seifert, was built in 1928 near Belgrade, but subsequently relocated because of high-tension wires. Siefert, together with E.R. Kahla, secured land for a second airport through a lease agreement with the State of Montana and the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce. Located one-half mile north of Belgrade near the current site of Gallatin Field, the airport opened in 1929 with six runways 100 feet wide and 1,200 to 1,300 feet long.

By 1937, two generations of Americans had grown accustomed to incredible aviation accomplishments. Lindberg and the Wright Brothers were history, "aviators" were now known as "pilots," and "those daring young men in their flying machines" were now flying "airliners." World War ll was just around the corner, and the aviation industry was about to revolutionize transportation and the progress of man in unimaginable fashion.

The vision of men in Bozeman and the Gallatin Empire was equal to that of men the width and breadth of America. The Bozeman Chamber of Commerce, Bozeman City Commission, Montana State College, and local service clubs began steering towards realization of a major air facility for Gallatin County.

1940s

Gallatin Field in the 1940s
SLIDE SHOW
Gallatin Field in the 1940s
On October 23, 1940, Bozeman City Manager August H. Lake called a meeting to advise those present that they had been appointed to serve on the Bozeman Airport Commission. The new members were: Dean Chaffin, Ernest Anderson, Gardner (Pete) Waite, Eric Therkelsen, and Frank Hoey. There was some discussion regarding the desirability of having an airport for Bozeman. Mr. Lake said that the City of Bozeman had taken a lease from the State of Montana on a small portion of land at the site of the Belgrade Airport and had constructed a hangar on this ground for the benefit of the Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) program currently being offered by Montana State College.Mr. Waite was authorized to check the ownership of adjoining lands and interview the owners to see if additional land might be purchased.

Within the next two weeks, the airport commission met several times. Chaffin, Therkelson, and Waite traveled to Butte for a meeting with Mr. Paul Morris of the Civil Aeronautics Administration where they were informed that some federal funding might be available for their airport if they could finalize the land purchases and airport plans before November 22nd.

Mr. Morris authorized the Army Engineers at Fort Peck to send a crew to Bozeman to survey the site and assist with the necessary drawings. Options to purchase the necessary land were obtained and on November 22,1940, Mr. Morris traveled to Bozeman to meet with the Airport Commission. Following a luncheon meeting at the Baxter Hotel, the group adjourned to the lounge where maps were spread on the table and Mr. Morris and his associates studied the entire proposal.

After studying the windrose chart, he laid out four prospective runways. He then gave instructions to the Army Engineers present on how to fill out the government application forms. He then left for Spokane.

The Bozeman Airport Commission met the filing deadline and on December 19, 1940, received official word that Bozeman had been allotted $47,000 in federal funds for construction of the basic airport.

The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) financed construction of Gallatin Field in 1941 in order to provide a training school for pilots just prior to World War ll. In 1941, the airport included four runways. John F. Lynch and his brother, Charles offered the initial Fixed Base Operator (FBO) service to the airport. In late 1941, John Lynch took charge of the fastest growing air school in Montana.

During the spring of 1941, plans for the new airport were progressing well. To help promote the facility, the Bozeman Airport Commission decided to hold an Aviation Week. In addition to promoting the new airport, it was hoped that the event would show the County Commissioners how important the airport was to the community and pave the way for some county funding.

At a meeting held at the Baxter Hotel on May 7, 1941, it was suggested that a name be chosen for the new airport. The name 'Sacajawea Field' was suggested but it was felt that the name "Sacajawea" belonged more or less to Three Forks and that it might be better to choose the name 'Gallatin Field.' After quite a little discussion, it was duly moved and carried that they name the flying field of the Bozeman Airport, Gallatin Field.

The Aviation Week was held June 9 to 15 and was a huge success. Seventy people attended the banquet and nearly 5,000 attended the Field Day program at the Belgrade Airport. Northwest Airlines had a twentyone passenger Douglas Airliner on the field and made several complimentary flights. John Lynch did some aerial acrobatics and there were many planes on the field during the day.

It soon became apparent that the City alone could not maintain the airport. On July 8, 1941, a special meeting was called for the Airport Commission to appear before the County Commission to present a budget for an airport fund. The group went to the Commissioners' office and was given a hearing.

All possible arguments were used in making a request that the Commissioners levy at least a portion of one mill for the purpose of maintaining the Bozeman airport. The County Commission consisted of P.H. Gaffney, Chairman, Wm. Alberda, and Lee Frank. Mr. Gaffney did all of the talking for the Board and he flatly refused to listen to any of their arguments and said that they would refuse to make any levy for airport purposes.

The group returned to Mr. Chaffin's office and decided that the results of this meeting should be given some publicity throughout the county. They further clarified the name on July 23, 1942 and "It was moved and carreid that this commission recommend to the new Airport Board to be that these names remain "Bozeman Airport" and "Gallatin Field." Gallatin Field became a city-county airport in 1942. On November 22, 1942, Jim Stradley and his passenger Helen McLain made the first official landing at Gallatin Field.  In 1944, Gallatin County purchased one-half interest in the land.

The 1940s heralded the beginning of the airport's major construction era and included 5,200 feet of paved Runway 12-30,5,100 feet of paved Runway 16-34, turf Runways 3-21 (4,700 feet) and 7-25 (4,700 feet), Taxiways A and B. The apron and lighting on Runways 16-34, 12-30 and Taxiways A and B were also completed during the 1940s. A 35-foot by 75-foot quonset hut was built in 1947 as a temporary "depot" for Northwest Airlines, which began regular commercial service in June of that year.
Airport Directors
Joe Monger (First Director)1944-57
Key Airline Events
1947
Northwest Airlines' first regularly scheduled commercial air service to BZN with a Martin 202 Northwest begins Douglas DC-3 service to BZN (Billings, Butte)

1950s

Airport Administration Building, Circa 1950s
SLIDE SHOW
Airport Administration Building, Circa 1950s
An airport administration building, designed by Fred Willson, was constructed for $153,000 in 1950-1951. This building, originally funded by a county bond issue, was expanded and remodeled in 2005 with federal funding. It currently houses Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) operations, Transportation Security administration (TSA) personnel, and the Gallatin County Sheriff's Airport Office. Gallatin County levied a 0.9 mill tax for airport construction and maintenance throughout the 1950s.
Airport Directors
Joe Monger1944 - 1957Edwin Iverson1956 - 1970
Key Airline Events
1952
Original BZN Airline Terminal opens (2 Ground level gates)
New airline terminal ramp opens (2 aircraft capacity)
1954
Vice President Nixon visits BZN arriving on a United Air Lines Convair 340
1958
Northwest begins first DC-4 service to BZN

1960s

Frontier Convair 580 Service
SLIDE SHOW
Frontier Convair 580 Service
New construction, to meet the growth of Gallatin Field, was made possible by an airport bond issue in 1960. The bonds funded a project that consisted of the reconstruction of 150-foot by 5,410-foot Runway 12-30 including new medium-intensity lighting, a new 120-foot by 640-foot general aviation apron, air carrier apron reconstruction and expansion and reconstruction of Taxiway "A". Runway 12-30 was extended to 6,500 feet in 1963, permitting use of the airport by transport aircraft such as the Douglas DC-6 and Lockheed Electra. Taxiways "C" and "D," were constructed in 1965.A number of improvements were made in the late 1960s to accommodate jet service. The main Runway 12-30 was extended to 9,000 feet; Taxiway "C" was widened and strengthened, including new lighting, and the air carrier apron was again expanded and overlaid. The $606,000 for the improvements was paid for by a bond issue and the Federal Aviation Administration. The Airport was additionally supported by a City and County tax levy for maintenance, operations, and administration.
Airport Directors
Edwin Iverson1956 - 1970
Key Airline Events
1961
Northwest begins first DC-6 service to BZN.
1964
Northwest begins first Lockheed Electra service to BZN.
1967
Northwest operates first 727 into BZN
Frontier Airlines begins Convair 580 service to BZN (Missoula, Salt Lake City)
1968
Northwest begins regularly scheduled 727 jet service to BZN

1970s

Gallatin Field Circa 1970s
SLIDE SHOW
Gallatin Field Circa 1970s
A FAA planning grant in 1972 resulted in development of the first Master Plan for Gallatin Field. Runway 16-34, the N-S Runway, was abandoned due to lack of use and cost of maintenance. The Montana Legislature passed legislation authorizing the establishment of Airport Authorities in Montana, and by November 1972, Gallatin Field became an Airport Authority.The Airport Authority sold revenue bonds in 1974 to finance a new FBO building, relocate Federal Aid Secondary (FAS) 290, now known as Dry Creek Road, relocate the existing FBO buildings and construct a new general aviation apron. The turf Runway 3-21 was relocated east of the General Aviation apron to permit closing the old crosswind runway for anticipated construction of a new terminal building.In 1976, the Authority again sold $2,400,000 of revenue bonds to construct a new 40,000 square foot terminal building; build a new air carrier apron; widen, strengthen, and extend taxiways; construct a new terminal access road; and extend water and sewer utilities to the terminal buildings. The Authority provided land to the Town of Belgrade for construction of a sewage treatment facility (lagoons) and shared in the cost of a 500,000-gallon water tank with the town. Total cost of the project was $4,400,000.Gallatin Field was the recipient of a regional award for environmental design presented by the FAA in 1978. M.M. Martin, FAA director stated, "The building is highly functional and an outstanding example of the use of design, art, and architecture to enhance the compatibility of airport structures with their surrounding environment."
Airport Board Members
John Buttleman1972 - 1973Zales Ecton1972 - 1992Gardner "Pete" Waite1972 - 1979Warren Fenno1973 - 1974Howard Nelson1972 - 1987James C. Taylor1975 - 1993William Merrick1972 - 1991Ashley Branning1975 - 1988
Airport Directors
Edwin Iverson1957 - 1970Frank Wolcott1970 - 1981
Key Airline Events
1973
Frontier begins first Boeing 737 jet service to BZN
Enplanements surpass 25,000 for the first time.
1975
1976
Enplanements surpass 50,000 for the first time.
Northwest begins first seasonal (Sat. Only) non-stop service to Minneapolis (727) on January 17, 1976
1977
Northwest operates first DC-10 into BZN to carry MSU Bobcats to Honolulu
New terminal building opens (1 Upper level gate, 1 ground level gate)
New terminal ramp opens (4 aircraft capacity)
First Scheduled Overnight Aircraft (Frontier 737)
1978
Frontier begins first non-stop service to Denver (737)

1980s

Gallatin Field Circa 1980s
SLIDE SHOW
Gallatin Field Circa 1980s
The 1980s were a decade of continued growth for Gallatin Field. The Airport Improvement Program included the FAA providing a maximum of 90 percent of the funding for airport improvements. In addition to runway, taxiway, apron, and access road improvement projects, a 36-foot by 56-foot fire station was built, an addition to the snow removal equipment building was constructed, and a passenger terminal door replacement project was completed. The Gallatin Airport Authority also acquired snow removal equipment and additional land, installed security fencing, upgraded the taxiway lighting system, and purchased an emergency standby generator.
Airport Board Members
Howard Nelson1972 - 1987Ashley Branning1975 - 1988William Merrick1972 - 1991Sue Leigland1988 - 2000Zales Ecton1972 - 1992Robert Taylor1989 - 1998James C. Taylor1975 - 1993
Airport Directors
Frank Wolcott1970 - 1981Ted Mathis1981 - 2009
Key Airline Events
1982
Western Air Lines begins service to Salt Lake City (737)
1983
Terminal expands to add a second upper level gate.
1985
Enplanements surpass 75,000 for the first time. Gallatin Field published Master Plan Mini-Update
1986
Frontier Airlines declares bankruptcy and ends service
Big Sky Airlines begins service to Billings and Spokane (Fairchild Metro)
Northwest begins first daily non-stop service to Minneapolis (McDonnell Douglas DC-9)
Continental Airlines begins service to Denver (737)
Enplanements surpass 100,000 for the first Time.
1987
Western Air Lines merged into Delta Air Lines
1988
SkyWest Airlines begins service to Salt Lake City (Embraer Brasilia)
1989
Big Sky Airlines declares bankruptcy and ends service to BZN

1990s

Population expansion in the Gallatin Valley during the 1990s caused continued growth to Gallatin Field. Major projects included rental car parking lot expansion, Phases I & II of the Terminal Expansion, construction of a holding bay on Taxiway A, employee and pay parking lot expansion, and construction of a deicing fluid storage on the commercial apron. These projects were paid for with Airport Improvement Program (AIP), Passenger Facility Charge (PFC), and local funding. Additionally, the air traffic control tower was constructed in 1997.
Airport Board Members
William Merrick1972 - 1991Richard Roehm1991 - 2011Zales Ecton1972 - 1992Sue Leigland1988 - 2000James C. Taylor1975 - 1993John McKenna Jr.1993 - 2013Sue Leigland1988 - 2000Tom Nopper1999 - 2004Robert Taylor1989 - 1998
Airport Directors
Ted Mathis1981 - 2009
Key Airline Events
1990
Horizon Air begins service to Billings and Spokane (Fairchild Metro)
Enplanements surpass 125,000 for the first time.
1992
Enplanements surpass 150,000 for the first time.
1993
Enplanements surpass 175,000 for the first time. Gallatin Field published the Master Plan and Terminal Feasibility Study
1994
Continental ends service to BZN
New Frontier begins service to Denver (737)
Horizon Air begins first seasonal non-stop service to Seattle (Fokker F28)
Phase I expansion of the terminal building is completed - expanding the ticket counter/lobby and relocating the restaurant/lounge to the upper level.
1995
New Frontier ends service to BZN
1996
Horizon ends non-stop service to Spokane
Horizon begins first daily non-stop service to Seattle (Dornier 328)
SkyWest begins first Canadair Regional Jet service
BZN ranked 168th busiest passenger airport in nation
1997
Phase II expansion of the terminal building is completed - expanding the baggage claim and ground transportation areas.
Aspen Mountain Air begins service to Denver (Dornier 328)
Horizon begins daily non-stop F28 service to Seattle
Enplanements surpass 200,000 for the first time.
1998
Aspen Mountain Air declares bankruptcy and ends service
1999
Air Traffic Control Tower opens at BZN (constructed with airport funds)
Northwest Airlink (Mesaba) operates first AVRO ARJ to Minneapolis/St. Paul (Summer Only)
Terminal Parking Lot expanded to 760 stalls

2000s

Gallatin Field Circa 2000s
SLIDE SHOW
Gallatin Field Circa 2000s
From 2000 to 2007, Gallatin Field continued to grow rapidly. Federal funding under the Airport Improvement Program changed whereby the FAA would provide a maximum of 95% of the funding for airport improvements. Gallatin Field constructed over $32,500,000 of improvements during this period.

This growth resulted in numerous airside and land side expansions since 2000, including two expansions to the commercial apron, a concourse expansion to the terminal building, a new general aviation tie down apron, and the construction of the East Ramp and a cargo apron. General aviation hangar construction also resulted in several taxilane construction projects including sewer, water and utility construction. The funding for these enhancements was through the Airport Improvement Program, Passenger Facility Charge, and local Airport Authority dollars.

Since the 1993 Master Plan, passenger enplanements increased 92% or 4.7% annually, on average from 175,042 in 1993 to 335,276 in 2007. The total number of aircraft operations increased from 47,100 in 1993 to 80,606 in 2007, an increase of 71% or 3.9% annually. From 1993 to 2007, based aircraft increased 159% from 113 to 293, a 7.1% annual increase.

The past 10 years also showed a change in the type of aircraft operated by the commercial airlines. Gallatin Field saw the last Boeing 727 commercial service aircraft in 2002. lt marked a shift to the Airbus A319, the A320, and 50 to 70 seat regional jets. Commercial airlines now provide non-stop flights from Bozeman to Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Las Vegas, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City, San Francisco and Seattle/Tacoma. Today, Gallatin Field is served by six airlines brands, Allegiant, Delta, Frontier, Horizon, Northwest and United. Additionally, current FBO service at the airport is provided by Arlin's Aircraft and Yellowstone Jet Center. Gallatin Field has produced a level of service that is respected throughout Northwest by the flying public and the businesses located on the airport.
Airport Board Members
Sue Leigland1988 - 2000Yvonne Jarret2000 - 2005Richard Roehm1991 - 2011Eric Hastings2004 - 2006Steve Williamson1992 - 2012Greg Metzger2005 - 2010John McKenna Jr.1993 - 2013Deborah Deitz2006 - 2007Tom Nopper1999 - 2004Kevin Kelleher2007 - Present
Airport Directors
Ted Mathis1981 - 2009Brian Sprenger2009 - Present
Key Airline Events
2000
Northwest begins first seasonal (Sun. Only) non-stop to Detroit
Northwest begins first Airbus A320/A319 service to BZN
Big Sky Airlines begins service to Billings and Denver (Fairchild Metro)
Big Sky Airlines ends service to BZN
Terminal concourse expanded to 3 gates (2 upper level, 1 ground level boarding)
United Express (SkyWest) begins service to Denver (Canadair Regional Jet)
Enplanements surpass 225,000 for the first time.
2001
United Express (Air Wisconsin) begins service to Denver (BAe 146) augmenting SkyWest service
Delta begins first Boeing 737-800 service to BZN
Horizon Air begins first Dash 8-400 service to BZN
Terminal concourse expanded to 4 gates (3 upper level, 1 ground level boarding)
Terminal ramp expanded for the first time since new terminal opened in 1977 (6 aircraft capacity)
Events of September 11th shut airport down for 3 days.
Enplanements surpass 250,000 for the first time.
2002
Horizon Air begins first seasonal non-stop to Los Angeles (Also first CRJ700)
Northwest operates last scheduled 727-200 service to BZN
Northwest operates first daily Detroit service during Christmas 2002
Horizon Air operates first CRJ-700 service with non-stop Saturday service to Los Angeles.
Screening checkpoint moved and increased to 2 lanes.
TSA takes over baggage screening, checked baggage screening begins in front of ticket counters
2003
Enplanements surpass 275,000 for the first time.
2004
Terminal concourse expanded to 5 gates (4 upper level, 1 ground level boarding)
Checked baggage screening moves behind ticket counters after counters moved out 8’
Enplanements surpass 300,000 for the first time.
2005
Northwest Jetlink (Pinnacle) begins service to Minneapolis/St. Paul (CRJ) Augmenting Northwest service
Big Sky Airlines begins non-stop service to Boise (Beech 1900)
Terminal ramp expanded for overnight aircraft parking (8 aircraft capacity)
Delta Air Lines begins first non-stop service (seasonal weekends) to Atlanta (737-800)
Delta ends mainline 737 service to SLC
Delta Connection (Atlantic Southeast) begins (CR7) service to SLC replacing Delta mainline service
First Northwest 757 operates into BZN to bring home troops from Iraq
Enplanements surpass 325,000 for the first time.
2006
United Express begins first non-stop service (seasonal daily) to Chicago O’Hare (CR7)
Big Sky Airlines begins Sat, Sun non-stop service to BIL and MSO
Big Sky Airlines begins Sat, Sun one-stop, same plane service to PDX
Summer non-stop service to eleven cities, nine states and four time zones (ATL, BIL, BOI, BTM, DEN, DTW, MSO, MSP, ORD, SEA, SLC)
Delta Connection (SkyWest) operates first CRJ-900 service (SLC)
Delta operates first scheduled 757 service (seasonal to ATL)
2007
United Express begins year round daily service to Chicago O’Hare (CR7)
Big Sky Airlines discontinues Sat, Sun service to BIL, MSO and PDX
United Express begins first non-stop service (seasonal, Sat. Only) to San Francisco (CRJ)
Radar coverage commences at BZN with the commissioning of the first locally purchased radar in the nation
Northwest (Compass) operates first Embraer 175 aircraft to BZN
Horizon begins first daily non-stop service to IDA (DH4) same plane to BOI and PDX
Terminal Ramp expanded for future terminal addition (10 Aircraft Capacity)
BZN ranked 141st busiest passenger airport in nation.
2008
Big Sky Airlines ends service between BZN and BOI and liquidates
United Airlines begins seasonal mainline 737-300 service. (DEN)
Frontier Airlines begins service between BZN and DEN using Lynx (Q400) and Republic (E170)
Screening checkpoint increased to three lanes.
United Express begins seasonal non-stop service (Sat. Only) to Los Angeles (CR7)
United Airlines begins seasonal mainline A320 service. (DEN and ORD)
United Express makes daily service to Chicago O’Hare seasonal (Winter & Summer)
Allegiant Air begins first non-stop service (Thu, Sun) to Las Vegas (MD80)
Terminal Parking Lot expanded to 1,400 stalls
Peak Overnight Aircraft – 9 (December, Saturday nights, 2 UA CRJ, 2 UA CR7, 1 DL CR9, 1 DL CRJ, 1 NW A320, 1 F9 Q400, 1 QX Q400)
Enplanements surpass 350,000 for the first time
2009
Northwest and Delta operations combined into Delta
United Express discontinues seasonal service to Los Angeles
Expansion of the terminal building begins
First 747 to land at BZN as President Obama arrives in Air Force One
BZN welcomes MSU Bobcat themed Horizon Air Q400
United Express announces daily non-stop service to San Francisco for the winter season
BZN ranked 134th busiest passenger airport in the nation

2010s

Bozeman Yellowstone Airport Terminal
SLIDE SHOW
Bozeman Yellowstone Airport Terminal
Airport Board Members
Richard Roehm1991 - 2011Steve Williamson1992 - 2012John McKenna Jr.1993 - 2013Greg Metzger2005 - 2010Kevin Kelleher2007 - PresentTed Mathis2010 - PresentCarl Lehrkind IV2011 - PresentKendall Switzer2012 - PresentKaren Stelmak2013 - Present
Airport Directors
Brian Sprenger2009 - Present
Bozeman Yellowstone Airport Terminal
SLIDE SHOW
Bozeman Yellowstone Airport Terminal
Key Airline Events
2010
United Express announces daily non-stop service to San Francisco for the summer and winter
United Express announces daily non-stop service to Los Angeles for the summer
Horizon discontinues non-stop to Great Falls
Horizon operates all non-stop all the time to Seattle/Tacoma
For the first time since airline service began at BZN, there are no flights between BZN and another city in Montana
BZN has daily non-stops for the summer to Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City, San Francisco and Seattle/Tacoma plus less than daily non-stops to Atlanta, Detroit and Las Vegas
Delta brings first scheduled MD-90 service to BZN (MSP)
Allegiant Air announces twice weekly non-stop service to Phoenix-Mesa (MD-80)
Arlin's Aircraft FBO purchased by Jet Aviation.  Arlin's Aircraft continues to perform maintenance services.
2011
BZN designated a "Small Hub" airport by the FAA
Terminal Expansion opens adding 125,000 square feet of space, 3 additional gates, an additional baggage claim carrousel and expanded food/beverage and gift concessions
BZN partners with Montana PBS to broadcast Montana content throughout the terminal building
Horizon brand is retired and is replaced by the Alaska Airlines brand
Frontier operates first Embraer E190 service between Bozeman and Denver
Gallatin Airport Authority Airport Board approves airport name change to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport at Gallatin Field
BZN partners with the Yellowstone Association and the Yellowstone Park Foundation to open the "Destination Yellowstone" store and educational museum displays
Enplanements surpass 375,000 for the first time
BZN ranked 130th busiest passenger airport in the nation
2012
Allegiant Air announces twice-weekly non-stop service to Oakland, CA. (MD-80)
Alaska Airlines announces seasonal daily non-stop service to Portland, OR. (Q-400)
United Air Lines announces seasonal once weekly non-stop service to New York/Newark. (A319)
Frontier begins A318/A319 service to Denver
Summit Air Ambulance becomes first air ambulance service at BZN
U.S. Customs office opened at BZN on July 1, 2012
First International arrival arrives BZN on July 1, 2012 from Calgary
Peak Overnight Aircraft – 10 (July Saturday night, 2 UA CR7, 1 UA A320, 1 DL CR7, 2 DL CRJ, 2 DL A320, 1 DL 737-700,1 QX Q400)
United operates first 737-900 into BZN from Denver
BZN partners with Montana State University to bring an MSU mural to the terminal and BZN signage to the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse
Enplanements surpass 425,000 for the first time
BZN ranked 121st busiest passenger airport in nation
2013
Allegiant Air discontinues service to Oakland, Ca.
Delta announces summer Sat. only non-stop service to Los Angeles (CRJ-900)
United expands New York/Newark service to twice weekly for the summer and winter
BZN becomes busiest passenger airport in Montana on May 31, 2013
Pay parking lot expanded to 1,500 parking stalls
Terminal ramp expanded (11 aircraft capacity)
Construction begins on new I-90 Interchange serving BZN
BZN partners with the Museum of the Rockies and opens a new museum display in the terminal
Big Sky Approach (located in Boise) begins handling air traffic control arrivals and departures substantially reducing ATC delays at BZN
Delta announces daily non-stop service to Los Angeles (CRJ-900) and twice daily non-stop service to Atlanta (737-800) for the Christmas/New Year's Holiday season
2014
United expands New York/Newark service to three times weekly for the summer
United announces summer and winter Sat/Sun non-stop service to Houston, TX (CRJ-700)
Alaska adds 3rd non-stop flight to Seattle
Delta expands Atlanta service to daily for the summer
Delta announces Saturday non-stop service to New York LaGuardia (A319)
Environmental analysis for paved runway 11/29 begins
Delta begins winter seasonal service to Seattle (E175)
Delta operates first scheduled 757 service to MSP over the Christmas/New Year's holiday
United operates first "red-eye" departure to Newark on Saturdays over the Christmas/New Year's holiday
Enplanements surpass 450,000 and 475,000 for the first time
BZN ranked 120th busiest passenger airport in the nation
2015
I-90 East Belgrade Interchange opens serving BZN
Alaska extends Portland summer service until October 31
Alaska begins Christmas/New Year's holiday Portland service
Enplanements surpass 500,000 for the first time
Delta begins year-round non-stop service to Seattle
United begins year-round mainline service to Denver
Terminal ramp expanded to facilitate deicing and aircraft movement
East ramp expanded for general aviation
Total passengers (enplaned + deplaned) surpass 1,000,000
BZN ranked 118th busiest passenger airport in the nation
2016
Alaska extends PDX seasonal service from Feb - Nov, Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Years
American Airlines begins service to BZN (and Montana) with non-stop service to DFW (CR9)
Terminal ramp expanded to include a holding bay for aircraft waiting for a gate
Phase I of Main Taxiway Rehabilitation completed
Re-aligned taxiways C/D into taxiway A3
Re-named taxiway "O" to taxiway "F"
Delta discontinues year-round non-stop service to Seattle (Seasonal remains)
Environmental Analysis of paved runway 11/29 is completed with a finding of no significant impacts.
Construction begins on paved runway 11/29 and associated taxiways
Enplanements surpass 525,000 and 550,000 for the first time
Total passengers (enplaned + deplaned) surpass 1,100,000
BZN ranked 114th busiest passenger airport in the nation
2017
American announces seasonal service to Chicago O'Hare (CR7)
Yellowstone Club Hangars Opens
Bridger Aerospace Hangar Opens
American begins mainline service to Dallas/Ft. Worth (A319) Summer
American announces year-round service to Dallas/Ft. Worth
Pay Parking Lot expanded to 1,900 stalls
United announces year-round service to Chicago O'Hare
Alaska begins 2nd daily flight to PDX (Summer seasonal)
New Bozeman Yellowstone Int'l Airport entry sign installed
Phase II of Main Taxiway Rehabilitation completed
Runway 11-29 (Paved) is opened on October 26, 2017.  5,050' long x 75' wide.  Ted Mathis performed the first test flight for the new runway, first official take-off was by Tim Linn in his Cessna 195 and the first official landing was by Ben Walton of Summit Aviation in one of their DA42 Diamond Twin Stars.
Delta operates first A321 into BZN
FedEx operates first scheduled ATR into BZN
BZN Celebrates 75 years of serving Southwest Montana on November 22, 2017
Construction of a 1,100 stall multi-use parking garage begins December 2017
Enplanements surpass 575,000 and 600,000 for the first time
BZN ranked 109th busiest passenger airport in the nation

2018
United announces daily non-stop service to Newark for summer 2018
Allegiant expands Phoenix/Mesa service to year-round
American announces Saturday non-stop service to Los Angeles for summer 2018
Money Magazine ranks BZN as #5 best airport in U.S.
JetBlue announces twice weekly non-stop service to Long Beach, CA beginning December 13, 2018
Runway 12/30 rehabilitated April 30 - May 19 (runway closed from 12:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. each day)
Alaska expands Portland service to daily year-round
Delta operates first Boeing 717 into BZN
United expands San Francisco service to daily year-round
United expands Los Angeles service to daily year-round
Frontier resumes year-round service to Denver (previous year service ended in October 2017, resumed in May 2018)
United announces daily non-stop service to Houston for summer 2019
Delta announces Saturday service to Detroit for March 2019
First passenger boarding bridge installed at BZN in 1977 is replaced with a new passenger boarding bridge
Enplanements surpass 625,000 and 650,000 for the first time
Tower operations surpass 85,000 for the first time with capacity increase of new runway 11/29
President Trump visits BZN
BZN ranked 107th busiest passenger airport in the nation
2019
Allegiant announces twice weekly summer non-stop service to Los Angeles, CA
Delta expands Detroit service to Saturdays over the summer season
Delta expands Detroit service to daily over the Christmas/New Year's Holiday and Saturdays the entire winter season
BZN opens multi-purpose parking garage (July 2019), 90 stalls pay parking, 1,000 stalls for rental cars
BZN begins construction on 4-gate concourse expansion
American expands winter service to Chicago to Daily for the winter season
Enplanements surpass 675,000, 700,000, 725,000, 750,000 and 775,000 for the first time
Tower operations surpass 90,000 and 95,000 for the first time
Central Valley Fire District opens station #1 on Airport Land (July 2019)
American announces summer Saturday service to both New York LGA and Philadelphia (PHL) with 737-800 service
American announces daily summer service to Los Angeles (LAX)
Delta reinstates daily service to SEA with twice daily flights effective in January 2020
BZN begin expansion of Southeast Hangar area with an additional 3,000 linear feet of taxiways
Sun Country Airlines announces twice weekly summer service to Minneapolis/St. Paul beginning June 3, 2020 with 737-800s
Delta announces daily year-round ATL service beginning July 6, 2020 with 737-800s
Alaska announces mainline service to SEA with A319/A320 aircraft beginning May 21, 2020

2020s

Ross Peak Grill located in BZN's B Concourse
SLIDE SHOW
Ross Peak Grill located in BZN's B Concourse
Airport Board Members
Kevin Kelleher2007 - PresentTed Mathis2010 - PresentCarl Lehrkind IV2011 - PresentKendall Switzer2012 - PresentKaren Stelmak2013 - Present
Airport Directors
Brian Sprenger2009 - Present
Ross Peak Grill located in BZN's B Concourse
SLIDE SHOW
Ross Peak Grill located in BZN's B Concourse
Key Airline Events
2020
Allegiant Air announces twice weekly summer service to Nashville, TN beginning May 21, 2020
JetBlue announces summer daily and winter 3 times weekly service to New York (JFK) beginning June 11, 2020
JetBlue announces summer and winter Wednesday & Saturday service to Boston (BOS) beginning June 13, 2020
COVID-19 Pandemic severely impacts the world with lock-downs, quarantines, etc.
April passenger traffic at BZN down nearly 96.7%., May down 89%, June down 77.4%, July down 54.6%, August down 45.5%, September down 34.6%
Despite COVID-19, new service was started to Nashville (Allegiant), Boston (JetBlue) and New York-JFK (JetBlue).  Unfortunately, service to Philadelphia and New York (LGA) on American was delayed one year.
JetBlue announced moving southern California service from Long Beach to LAX
Alaska announced daily non-stop service to LAX (E175)
JetBlue announced Christmas/New Year's holiday service to Fort Lauderdale, FL (A320)
American announced winter non-stop service to Charlotte, NC (737-800)
Concourse B addition is completed including three new passenger Board Bridges at gates B3, B4 and B5
BZN ranked 95th in the nation in terms of passengers
2021
Avelo announces summer service between BZN and Burbank, CA (737-800)  One of initial markets for the new airline
Southwest announces service to BZN from Denver and Las Vegas
United announces non-stop service between BZN and Washington, D.C. (Dulles Airport)
Allegiant announces summer seasonal non-stop service between BZN and Austin, TX
Southwest announces seasonal service between BZN and Dallas-Love (DAL)
Alaska announces seasonal service between BZN and San Diego and San Francisco, CA
Various experimental non-stop service are offered during the year including PHX (Southwest, American), Chicago-Midway (Southwest, Orange County, CA (Southwest), Philadelphia (American) due to a surplus of aircraft post-Covid and the strength of the BZN market.
Full passenger recovery is experienced in April 2021 with record passenger traffic continuing through the rest of 2021.
Passenger enplanements surpass 800,000, 825,000, 850,000, 875,000 and 900,000 for the first time
Tower operations surpass 110,000 and 115,000 for the first time.
General Aviation and Business Aviation set records during the year along with record hangar development.  60 acres of land leased for hangar development in the southeast hangar areas between April 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021.
Frontier and Avelo end service to BZN in the fall of 2021.
Construction begins on northside flight school hangar development.
Wings Way relocated to allow for General Aviation ramp hangar redevelopment.
Two additional passenger boarding bridges are added (Gates B6 and B7)
BZN ranked 86th in the nation in terms of passengers (This is expected to decline as traffic returns to other airports in the nation)

2022
BZN surpasses 2 million total passengers in a 12 consecutive month period (February 1, 2021 - January 31, 2022)
American announces summer and winter seasonal non-stop service between BZN and Austin, TX
Pay parking lots expanded from 2,200 stalls to 3,400 stalls.
Terminal ramp expanded to include three 737-900 capable hold bays on the west side.
Construction begins on $22 million in-line baggage screening system.
Passenger enplanements surpass 1,100,000 for the first time.
BZN ranked 92nd in the nation in terms of passengers.
2023
Completion of in-line baggage screening system
Expansion and rehabilitation of General Aviation Ramp, East Ramp and Tie-down Ramp
BZN Market opens in the B Concourse
Alaska announces non-stop service to Orange County, CA (SNA)
Southwest announces return of Chicago Midway (MDW) and new Nashville (BNA) service for summer 2024
American announces return of Charlotte, NC (CLT) service for summer 2024
American draws down Austin (AUS) focus city along with non-stop service between BZN and AUS
Passenger enplanements surpass 1,200,000 for the first time.
BZN ranked 92nd in the nation in terms of passengers.